US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned on Monday that a $3.4 billion European Investment Bank loan to Airbus could jeopardise a tariff truce between Washington and Brussels. Greer said his office had received no details about the financing, announced in June, and urged the EU to resolve the matter quickly.

Europe's five main NATO members said on Monday they were ready to take greater responsibility for the continent's security while reaffirming the United States as an "indispensable ally". Defence ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Britain pledged closer co-operation with Washington after talks in Paris on strengthening Europe's defence role.